PER020

The Magi from the East meet Herod

This article examines the Magi's meeting with Herod, recounted in the Gospel of Matthew, highlighting its importance in affirming Jesus' kingship. It places the visit in its historical context, exploring the Magi's motives and Herod's intentions while discussing Jesus' birth and its historical and theological implications.

3 min Magi Herod Jesus Bethlehem Star of Bethlehem 1 verse 1 book

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Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 2.1-8 (King James Version)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book

Luke

Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: Jerusalem in Judea

Date: Late November -2 BC

Method: We return to Matthew

Note on the method: Matthew alone records this passage

The Magi from the East are seeking a king, so they naturally head to King Herod's palace in Jerusalem.

The Magi from the East meet King Herod

Comments

Matthew explicitly emphasises that Jesus' birth occurred during Herod's reign. Historians generally date Herod's death to 4 BC. However, drawing on information from Daniel and Luke, our calculations lead us to place Jesus' birth in October 2 BC.

How can such a discrepancy be explained?

In the appendix ANN011: The death of King Herod, we explain why dating this monarch's death to 1 BC is plausible.

In the appendix ANN012: The Magi from the East, we describe these men's journey. Matthew alone recounts this episode, in keeping with his aim of demonstrating Jesus' kingship. It therefore seemed logical to him to tell the world of this moment when distinguished visitors came to worship and offer gifts to a king, the infant Jesus.

The star guiding these men is, in our view, a historically attested phenomenon. We explore this subject further in the appendix ANN013: The Star of Bethlehem.

We will also analyse Herod the Great's behaviour. His claim that he too wished to worship the child was hypocritical. Nevertheless, it convinced the Magi, who intended to return to Jerusalem.

There is no reason to regard the Magi's visit as purely imaginary.

On the contrary, the wealth and precision of its details invite us to treat this event as historical fact. The episode is also crucial to Joseph, Mary and Jesus' hurried departure for Egypt: they needed to finance the journey. The Magi's gifts would prove providential.

Les Mages d’Orient rencontrent Hérode. Cet article examine la rencontre des Mages avec Hérode, relatée dans l'Évangile selon Matthieu, soulignant l'importance de cet événement pour affirmer la royauté de Jésus. La visite est contextualisée historiquement, explorant les motivations des Mages et les intentions d'Hérode, tout en traitant la naissance de Jésus et les implications historiques et théologiques. Commentaires. Matthieu souligne explicitement que la naissance de Jésus se situe sous le règne d'Hérode. Les historiens placent généralement la mort d'Hérode en l'an 4 avant Jésus-Christ. Cependant, en s'appuyant sur les informations fournies par Daniel et Luc, nos calculs nous amènent à envisager sa naissance au mois d'octobre de l'année 2 avant Jésus-Christ. Comment expliquer une telle divergence ? Dans l'annexe ANN011 : La mort du roi Hérode, nous exposons les raisons qui rendent plausible de dater le décès de ce monarque en l'an 1 avant Jésus-Christ. Dans l'annexe ANN012 : Les mages d'Orient, nous détaillons le périple de ces hommes. Matthieu, le seul à relater cet épisode, est cohérent avec son objectif de démontrer la royauté de Jésus. Il lui paraissait donc logique de faire connaîtreau monde cet instant où des personnalités viennent adorer et offrir des présents à un roi, l'enfant Jésus. L'étoile qui guide ces hommes est, à nos yeux, un phénomène historiquement attesté. Nous approfondissons ce sujet dans l'annexe ANN013 : L'étoile de Bethléem. Nous analyserons également le comportement d'Hérode le Grand. Sa déclaration prétendant vouloir lui aussi adorer l'enfant était empreinte d'hypocrisie. Néanmoins, elle avait convaincu les mages qui envisageaient de retourner à Jérusalem. Il n'existe aucune raison de considérer la visite des mages comme purement imaginaire. Au contraire, la richesse des détails et leur précision nous invitent à traiter cet événement comme un fait historique. Cet épisode est d'ailleurs déterminant pour le départ précipité en Egypte de Joseph, Marie et Jésus, qui doivent financer ce voyage. Les présents des mages s'avéreront providentiels.